Where once there was only coconut milk and cream at hand, we are seeing a new slew of products with varying claims of health benefits available to us. Exorbitantly expensive yoghurt and sugar for baking, coconut water for intense hydration, and coconut oil for everything from cooking to slathering on your skin.
Yep, coconuts are taking over our supermarkets.
Densely rich in nutrients and fats, coconuts would certainly be your saviour if you were stranded on a deserted tropical island, but with the dietary options readily available to us already, do we really need to saturate ourselves with this latest food trend?
There has been much hype that the saturated fat found in coconuts – medium chain triglycerides – is healthier for us. However this has never been proved in humans, only animals, reports DailyMail.
Although coconut water has less sugar than fruit juice, and a higher mineral content with potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium present, it’s still not an ideal post-workout drink if you have been undergoing strenuous exercise for over an hour. A banana and a glass of milk would be better.
And cheaper.
Coconut sugar is another product that is slightly deceiving. Although it has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar, it’s still high in calories. It’s a mildly healthier option that costs three times as much as regular sugar. Sugar is sugar and should be consumed in moderation.
Coconut oil has become increasingly popular for baking and roasting, but its nutritional profile is similar to butter, which has a very high fat content. The type of saturated fats found in coconut oil and butter are less harmful than initially thought, but they are energy-dense and can promote weight gain if used too liberally.
The crux of the coconut debate is that many of the “benefits” are unproven, so although the products are undeniably delicious, they are not making us healthier.
There are many great qualities about the fruit, but nothing beats a balanced diet full of variety and colour.
